Hug Meditation

Instructions for the leader

Activity: Somatic Mindful Hugging Exercise Divide participants into pairs in a calm, spacious room. Pre-Activity Guidance: Conduct a strict, clear consent check. Emphasize that physical contact is completely optional, and non-touch alternatives (e.g., placing a hand on one's own heart while maintaining eye contact) are fully supported. Structure & Rules: Consent Check: Partners face each other and verbally ask: "Would you like to share a 2-minute mindful hug?" Somatic Presence: If agreed, partners enter a comfortable, relaxed hug, aligning breath rhythms and settling into present-moment awareness. Mindful Duration: Hold the consensual hug silently for 2 full minutes, breathing slowly and deeply. Closing Acknowledgment: Release the hug gently, take a shared deep breath, and offer a simple nod or warm smile. Timing: 2-minute mindful hug + 2 minutes of paired debrief on somatic sensations.